‘Cihan and Nazım's persistence in journalism must be magnified in the field’

  • 11:23 23 December 2024
  • News
Derya Ren-Sehriban Aslan
 
RIHA - Journalist Cihan Bilgin, who was killed by Turkey's SİHA, was threatened by Turkey many times by phone before he was murdered, his colleague ANHA Reporter Silava Abdulrehman said, "Cihan was targeted and murdered because he did not accept surrender."
 
In the last 5 years, 13 journalists were killed and 7 were injured in the attacks carried out by Turkey against the Kurdistan Region and Northern and Eastern Syria. Journalists continue to be directly targeted while reporting the developments in these regions to the world. One of these attacks took place in Berkel Hill, south of Kobanê, when Kobanê FM devices were hit. On 19 December, journalists Nazım Daştan and Cihan Bilgin were targeted and killed by a Turkish Armed Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) on the road between Tişrîn Dam and Sirîn town.
 
Cîhan Bilgin and Nazım Daştan were interviewed by Hawar News Agency (ANHA) Reporter Silava Abdulrehman. 
 
‘Cihan bore the burden of 4 parts of Kurdistan’
 
Silava Abdulrehman, who said that she had worked with Cihan Bilgin for 8 years, said: "Cihan's martyrdom was heavy for us. Because Cihan had shouldered the burden of 4 parts of Kurdistan. He worked both in Bashûr, Bakûr and Rojava. He also wanted to go to Rojhilat. Cihan was born under the rule of an occupying state. This had caused a great anger to grow in Cihan since his childhood. Cihan wanted to announce the enemy of the Kurds to the whole world with his camera and pen. No matter how much we talk about the enmity of the Turkish state, it is incomplete. Because the denial and annihilation policies it imposes on the Kurds continue with all its violence."
 
‘Turkey was threatening Cihan’
 
Silava Abdulrehman added that Turkey does not want the Kurds to have a possible status and said: "When she crossed into Northern and Eastern Syria in 2017, he had a great determination and stance. ‘She was doing her job with great excitement and enthusiasm. Cihan set an example for all of us here. She shed light on the truth with her files and news. Because of this, she received threats from Turkey many times. This was done over the phone. In the threats, his family was targeted and the following was said: ‘If you continue your work, your family is here.’ Cihan did not bow down to all these threats. Because of this situation, he changed his phone number several times. Cihan was targeted and murdered because she refused to surrender."
 
‘Cihan created an epic’
 
Silava Abdulrehman noted that Cihan was very strong not only in her work but also in terms of sociality, and continued as follows "When we went out on the street, dozens of children were in her way. The bond he established with the children was very great. Likewise, it was the same with mothers. No matter how much I talk about Cihan, She created an epic. Wherever there was news, She would rush there. She took part in both Tebqa and Raqqa moves. She carried out work in Til Temir. She energy and his endeavour to follow the truth encouraged us to work and set an example, She became the eye of the truth. After Turkey attacked Minbic, she went to Minbic. Then she went to Tişrin and Qarakozax."
 
‘We will realise their dreams’
 
Silava Abdulrehman, recalling Cihan's interview with YPJ commander Roj Engîzek before she was murdered, said: "With the murder of Cihan and Nazım, the truth was wanted to be covered up. However, the truth does not remain in the dark, there are thousands of people trying to reveal that truth. No matter how many attacks, they cannot break our will. Because they took away our most valuable ones from us, our anger and determination to struggle is very great. Cihan gave us the determination to resist, work and reveal the truth. We will realise their dreams, their pens and cameras will never remain on the ground."
 
‘They didn't want the truth to come out’
Journalist Beritan Canözer said, "Their struggle will always shed light on our path. Unfortunately, dozens of our colleagues were targeted and murdered by the Turkish state in Rojava. Turkey, which does not want the truth to be revealed, targets journalists with detention, arrest and murder. Since 2013, there has been an intense attack by gangs in Rojava with the help of Turkey. Dozens of our colleagues have been killed and injured while working there to reflect those attacks and the resistance of the people. Nazım and Cihan were where every journalist wants to be and they made the news they would want to make. Nazım and Cihan went to Rojava and set a great example of journalism there. They worked day and night, in difficult conditions, under intense attacks, to announce Rojava to the whole world.  Now it is time for us to follow in their path and footsteps."
 
‘He has worked non-stop since the first day’
 
Beritan Canözer stated that she had the chance to work with both Nazım and Cihan, and continued as follows "I am one of the colleagues who witnessed the commitment of both of them to this profession. Nazım was a person who always clung to his profession, had a good relationship with the public and embraced and existed his struggle in every aspect. As a result of this struggle, he travelled to Rojava both because of the pressure of the state and his desire to witness the revolution. And since the first day he went to Rojava, he worked and laboured non-stop. Nazım was Apê Musa's general and he was always trying to do more and better to be worthy of it. Today we have taken over the pen of Nazım and Cihan. A much greater responsibility falls on our shoulders. We will make our news stronger both in terms of not leaving the pen of our friends on the ground and exposing the mentality that murdered them more."